Stock Selection
Stock for spindles should be straight grained and free of checks, cracks, knots and other defects. It should be cut 1/8" to 1/4" larger than the finished diameter and may require additional length to remove ends if required. Larger stock should have the corners removed to produce an octagon making the piece easier to rough down to a cylinder, see Figure 14.
Roughing Out
1.Use a large roughing gouge and begin cutting about 2” from the tailstock end of the workpiece. Place the tool on tool rest with heel of the tool on surface to be cut.
2.Slowly and gently raise tool handle until cutting edge comes into contact with the workpiece. Work to the right towards the end of the workpiece. You never want to start at the end of a workpiece.
3.Now continue to work the rest of the workpiece. Roll the flute
4.Once the workpiece is roughed down to a cylinder, smooth it with a large skew. Place the cutting point near the center of the chisel and high on the workpiece, see Figure 16. Touching one of the points of the skew to the spinning workpiece may cause a catch and ruin the workpiece.
5.Add details to the workpiece with skew, spindle gouge, etc.
14